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January 2012 MinneCulture Archives

Recorded for MinneCulture, The Honeydogs perform new material before heading into the studio to record its new CD, “What Comes After” (November release on Grain Belt Records). Written in earnest and recorded in less than six days, “What Comes After” blends roots pop with orchestral and soul arrangements. From the brash title track to the psychedelic “The Devil You Do,” the Honeydogs are an inspired ensemble. With shades of Leonard Cohen, Harry Nilsson, Nick Drake and Tony Joe White, the new CD is a soul, folk and country record tracked with minimal overdubs.

The Great Falls, dubbed “St Anthony Falls” by Father Louis Hennepin, evolved during the Ice Age and became the birthplace of Minneapolis. A spiritual place for Native Americans, and especially Dakota people, the Falls have always been a magnet for their beauty and power. European settlers harnessed the water power for lumber and flour mill industries that developed along the banks of the Mississippi, but years of over-use marred the landscape. Today St. Anthony Falls are part of the Mississippi River Historic District. KFAI’s Dixie Treichel produced this documentary for MinneCulture.

Sophia Shorai was born in Zimbabwe and raised in Minneapolis. A classically trained pianist, she began exploring jazz in her early teens, learning vocalese from her trumpet-playing father. Sophia performs regularly at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, and in other venues across the Twin Cities. In addition to singing, she has done voice work for national television commercials, as well as television and motion pictures. This concert was recorded April 28, at the Red Stag Supperclub in Northeast Minneapolis. With Tanner Taylor on keyboard.

1. All the World’s a Stage
Produced by Todd Melby
If all the world’s a stage — as Shakespeare once wrote — why are most plays confined to traditional theaters? There are practical reasons, of course. The seating, lighting and sound systems are already in place. Still, some actors yearn to perform in more evocative spaces.

2. zAmya Theater Project
Produced by Dixie Treichel
Founded in 2004 by Lecia Grossman, and under the direction of Maren Ward, zAmya Theater Project is a unique theater group comprised of performers who are, or have been, homeless. zAmya, which is Sanskrit for “aiming at peace,” presents new work each fall during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness week. Cast members collaborate on productions and travel to churches, schools, theaters and health centers to perform. zAmya Theater Project is part of St. Stephen’s Human Services in Minneapolis, a nonprofit organization that also provides homelessness outreach, emergency shelter and free stores.

3. Vincent Stall, aka ‘King Mini’
Produced by Britt Aamodt
After establishing himself as “King Mini”—a premiere mini-comic and poster artist—Vincent Stall has taken his inimitable style and vision to long-form narrative. KFAI’s Britt Aamodt sat down with the artist, and his publisher, 2D Cloud Press, to talk about Stall’s latest release entitled, “Things You Carry.”

4. Hudson Bay Canoers
Produced by Dan Greenwood
The Minnesota River is a tributary that flows into the the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling. In 1930, Eric Sevareid and Walter Port followed the Minnesota River upstream, canoeing north more than 2,000 miles to Hudson Bay, via the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. An account of their trip, “Canoeing with the Cree,” was published in 1935 by the Minneapolis Star. Last year, St. Olaf graduate students Anne Raiho and Natalie Warren replicated the journey, traveling past temperate Minnesota farmlands to the far north.

5. Mt Olivet’s child and eldercare program
Produced by Will Hale
The Day Services program at Mt. Olivet Church in South Minneapolis is unique in that it combines childcare with its senior center to create what administrators call “intentional inter-generational interaction.” The program serves 35 seniors and 65 children, from infants to preschool.

1. Salsa Lisa
Produced by Britt Aamodt
Minnesota entrepreneur Lisa Nicholson broke into the salsa market in the mid-90s, with a fresh salsa appropriately dubbed “Salsa Lisa”. Today you’ll find her products in the refrigerated section at grocery stores across the country. KFAI’s Britt Aamodt has the scoop on Minnesota’s largest fresh salsa company.

2. Joia Soda: a new kind of pop
Produced by Britt Aamodt
The United States ranks first internationally in soft drink consumption. At home, work, or out and about, Americans like to clasp a cold one—usually old standbys, like Coke and Pepsi. But if you’re tired of the tried and true, consider this alternative: Joia is a Minneapolis-based company that brings creative mixology to soft drinks. KFAI’s Britt Aamodt talked to Joia’s founder, Bob Safford, about this new kind of pop.

3. Chocolatier BT McElrath
Produced by Britt Aamodt
In the late 1990s, Minneapolis chocolatier BT McElrath built a reputation on high-end truffles with unique savory accents, such as balsamic vinegar, lavender and cardamon. Today, the McElrath company has taken on a new challenge: producing the best basic chocolate bar it can…with a few flavor twists. KFAI’s Britt Aamodt toured the Northeast Minneapolis manufacturing plant during the roll-out of three new chocolate bar flavors.

4. Lowertown Reading Jam presents Duende and the Sound of Soul
Produced by Nancy Sartor & Daniel Zamzow
The Lowertown Reading Jam in St. Paul is a monthly literary series at Black Dog Cafe, sponsored by the Saint Paul Almanac. Each session features a different theme and curator. Recently, philosopher and educator, J. Otis Powell, presented the theme “Duende and the Sound of Soul.” The show featured J. Otis, e.g. bailey, Leah Nelson, Andrea Jenkins and Louis Alemayehu.

5. Savage Aural Hotbed
Produced by Dixie Treichel
Savage Aural Hotbed is a local band that fuses musical styles with unconventional “instruments,” including power tools and found objects. For more than 20 years, the quartet has been performing experimental music throughout the Twin Cities.